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Our Story
FBT story
introduction
For over five decades, FBT has helped hardworking farmers add value to their land and made hard work a little lighter. We’re proud of where we’ve come from and look forward to creating the next decade of prosperity with our clients.
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Freight Bulk & Transport Ltd was establisehd by John
Geraghty & Malcolm Campbell.
Purchased Taranaki Bulk Topdressers Ltd.
Purchased Inglewood Bulk Top Dressers Ltd.
Purchased Hoskins Ltd in Midhurst.
Purchased Worsley Bulk Transport (renamed Waverley Bulk Transport) and purchased Windy Point Quarry.
Entered a joint venture with Ravensdown and Spreading FBT.
New workshop built (due to fire 2 years prior).
Reorganisation of business, shaped for the future with a focus on the agricultural industry.
Family-owned legacy maintained with new shareholders Dave Geraghty & Rod Campbell.
FBT's HIstory
OUR ROADMAP
Founded in 1966, FBT has weathered many changes in the industry.
Over the decades we’ve gone from strength to strength, adapting our approach as technology changes.
Establishing the business
1955
In 1963, John Geraghty landed his first fertiliser job with Lou Stonnell. On that first day, he was paired up with Malcolm Campbell to go and spread on a farm out on Mountain Road
The two of them journeyed out to the farm: Malcolm driving, and John on the shovel to load. Over the next few years, they became good mates.
So it followed that in 1966 Malcolm Campbell, John Geraghty, and Arthur Dixon were at the pub having a beer, and they decided that they should try and run their own business. That year, they took over Farmers Bulk Topdressers on Colson Road in Taranaki.
After 18 months, the mutual decision to split was made, and Malcolm and John continued on as a pair. Arthur went back to Lou Stonnell’s and eventually ended up purchasing Stonnell’s company.
The 1970s were a busy decade of acquisitions for the pair. They purchased Taranaki Bulk Topdressers, Osflo Fertiliser Ltd, and Inglewood Bulk Topdressers. They also started a maize grain business working with Taranaki Farmers Co-op, growing from 400 to 1,000 acres within 5 years.
The 1980s were just as hectic, as they began the decade by purchasing Hoskings Ltd, a rural carrier company in Midhurst. They took the spreaders, bulk trucks and yard on board, and sold the stock trucks to an employee who began his own independent venture.
1982 saw their first purpose-built workshop constructed. This has been in use ever since, with mechanics and engineers available for internal and external maintenance and repairs.
Around 1985, the company had a big change – the name. ‘Farmers Bulk Topdressers’ changed to ‘Freight and Bulk Transport’ at the suggestion of their accountant and future board member, Brian Busing.
GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE 1980's
1966
The later part of the 1980s saw the ever-growing company purchasing Fleming Contractors and running wharf contracts. They trucked fertiliser, lime, and coal across the North Island. There was a brief association with Hawkes Bay Farmers in 1987 to form Trident – a North Island-based freight company.
In 1988, however, farming, transport and fertiliser subsidies disappeared. This made Trident difficult to sustain, so the company was divided up across the Island. It was around this time that the company purchased their first quarry at Okato to provide existing staff work in the off-season.
All employeEs GAIN individual contracts
1982
The 1990s started off with the acquisition of Worsley Bulk Transport (renamed Waverley Bulk Transport) and the Windy Point Quarry. In the same year, compulsory unionism came to an end and the company offered all employees individual contracts.
By 1998, the company established Nutrilink Blending at the old Ravensdown site. This operation reverted superphosphate and lime, and added products to create blends for farmers.
Field Spreading ACQUIRED
2012
In 2021 the group acquired Field Spreading. This enabled access into other regional areas and enhanced the operating efficiency of the Okato depot.
FBT spreading a division of GC Management
2016
In 2022 the GC Group brought out Ravensdown. This allowed FBT Spreading to be wholly owned and created a path for future expansion.
FBT’s growth strategy includes acquisitions and aligning with changing farming methods and consumer use patterns.
In November 2022 the group diversified to include a Liquid Application service through the acquisition of Tow and Fert, a liquid follar fertiliser applicator.
Okato Depot: During 2022 the business refurbished our depot and built a new office space to support our philosophy of continuous improvement.
Our Fleet
2012
We continuously review and renew our fleet to ensure:
- Up to industry standards – Quality Assurance
- GPS mapping and Proof of Placement technology
- Versitility for product opportunities
In 2023 we added a ute to our fleet. This smaller and lighter vehicle is particularly useful for wet conditions.
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CLIENT SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY
2022
We are growing our team allow more time for our customers. Nutrient management keeps increasing in complexity and compliance.
To deal with this, we now have a team dedicated to helping farmers with national regulatory requirements.
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